Pearson



NOV- 26, 1940. Q PEARSON I TRACTOR HOWER Original Filed D90. 2,1931

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 h a 8 a P a E o a mm 5 .D @m R. R mm. mm. wm

T m m M WW 7 w PM aw M m 4 h .C. 1 "m 2 w. fi EL:

I Re. 21,636

26,1940. Q PEARSON TRACTOR MOWER ori inal Filed Dec. 2,1931

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 inventor [fiarles arspfl Q1 MO I 09:

Nov. 26, 1940 x PEARSON A Ra 21,636

TRACTOR MOWER OriginalJ-iid Dec. 21931 4 Sheets-Sheet s [22 2167 5021 fizaziesarm Reiuued Nov. 26, 1940 PATENT OFFICE TRACTOR MOWER Charles Pearson, Waverly, Fla assignor to International Harvester Company,

New Jersey a corporation of Original No. 1,911,387, dated May 30,1933, Serial No. 578,421, December 2, 1931. Application for reissue April 12, 1940, Serial No. 329,359

29 Claims. (01.56-25) This invention relates generally to mowing machlnes, and more particularly to a tractor mounted mower.

At the present time the trend in farming operations is to utilize tractors extensively for draft purposes as well as for power operation ofattached implements. In the operation of tractor mowers having laterally extending cutter bars it is necessary to provide a number of adjustments and safety features. The relatively fast movement of a tractor mower is highly desirable but this advantage has been minimized due to the difficulty encountered because of obstructions which strike the laterally extending mower bar 5 and cause damage before the tractor can be stopped. To overcome this difliculty various means have been devised to unlatch the cutter bar and permit itto swing around behind the tractor. Other devices for a similar purpose have been devised'to throw out the tractor clutch or to stop its operation by other means. In addi-- tion to providing for the safety feature above described, it is necessary to provide a. number of adjustments on the cutter bar. Said bar must be tiltable or rockable to ride over small obstructions or must be hinged to swing in a "vertical plane to avoid obstructions too large for the tilting mechanisms and to lift the bar for transport-' ing purposes. v l

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a mower attachment for a tractor having improved cutter bar releasing means.

Another principal object is to. provide means for lifting a cutter bar, particularly of a construction embodying thefirst named object.

Another object is to'provide a mower attach-' ment of the kind specified, in which the mower is driven from a tractor power. take-off shaft and in which the driving linkage is so constructed that it need not be disengaged when the mower bar is in lifted or unlatched position.

Still another object is to provide a simple and eflicient mower attachment embodying the above objects, which may easily and quickly be attached to and detached from. a tractor.

Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, from the detailed descriptionto follow. I

Briefly, the objects of the invention are accomplished by the provision of a mower which has a frame pivoted to the rear of 'a tractor on a longitudinal axis, a cutter bar s pport pivoted to the frame on a substantially vertical axis, and a 'cutter bar pivoted to the support on a substantially:

5s longitudinal axis. Power actuated lifting means dotted lines, the trailing position of the cutter 'rear axle housing ll, depending housings ilat the ends of the housing II, and drive wheels l3.

- tudinal portions of the draw-bar and to the top are provided for lifting the cutter bar and for lifting the frame. The pitman drive is of such a nature that it may continue to operate without damage to the sickle when the-cutter bar is in lifted or trailing position. ,5

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the rear end of a tractor on which a mower embodying the invention is mounted. Said figure also shows, in 10 bar; v

Figure 2 is a rear elevation, showing the same construction as Figure 1. This flgureshows, in dotted lines, the lifted position of the mowe frame and cutter bar;-

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing certain elements ofthe latch mechanism and the pitman linkage; I

Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation, showing 20 the latch mechanism of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevation with the tractor axle housing in section, showing the same mower construction as in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the pitman linkage;

Figure 7 is an enlarged elevation of the same linkage shown in Figure 6: and,

Figure 8 is an enlarged view, showing the mower driving means partly in section and the 30 lifting means in section.

The illustrative embodiment of the mower of this invention has been shown in connection with a tractor having side frame members II, a

A downwardly depending housing ll, forwardly of the housing ll, contains the gearing for driving the power take-off shaft IS. A rearwardly extending U-shaped draw-bar i8 is pivotally at- '40 tached to the inside portions of the housings It on trunnions ll. Said draw-bar is held rigidly in position in a. slightly downwardly extending position by brace rods l8 connected to-the iongi- 45 portions of the housings l2. The draw-bar held rigidly in position, forms a support for carrying the supporting structure for. the mower frame. Said structure is not shown in detail, only to the extent as is necessary to show supporting means and rotatable with respect thereto about a longi- I for the driving mechanism and the lifting mechiii Es 5e lportflwithrespecttotheextensicnllofthe framemember; The support 34 is provided with apairorspaced, downwardlyextending arms I! which areprovided with alined opening'l nt their" endstoformapivotaxisforthecutterbar ll. Saidcuttcrbarheadispivotallyconto supportbypinsli. i

berflandthecutt'erba'rmpicooperatingelementsofalatch A barflispivotedonatransverse ears projecting forwardly from a extension I8 of the frame member II. bar extends upwardly through a slot RSEE an integral part ofthe frame member II. A spring 41, connected to the top of thelatch bar I andtoanearon the extensionll,actstohold V latch bar against the extension M. The cutbar support 34 is provided with a forward on ll, which projects forwardly. The

extension 48.

i 8 its its? WEE

I connected to one side ofthe draw-bar.

A cutter bar I! of a conventional construction secured to the cutter bar head ll. Said cutbar head isvalso provided with an upwardly shoe II for slidably eng s g the-ground integralupwardlyextendinglif atmlLto which arope or cable iiisattachedbyasuitable The driving means for the'ciitting mechanism includes a drive member or firstpitman I, which may be of a conventional construction; having a ll'securedtothe'upperend.

chose ll extends through the bars "and the connector link It. Said connection is formed by a bolt extension 44, formed at the forward formed in a laterally extending lug ll, formed gear II, mounted on the shaft 22, previously deicutterbarheadllis videdwithan' Said member is riveted between two hubs is,

' which are formed with bearings for mounting on the crank 21. At itslower end the pitman is provided with a Jone-transmitting element or portion pivotally connected by two flat bearings .I

ll. The bars 5 are formed at their ends opposite the connection above described, with spherical depressions to form a socket Joint with a ball t0 integrally formed on a bracket 81, which constitutesthe connecting means with the sickle ll. A releasable securing means, dedgnated generally as by the numeral 89, isprovided forhoiding the socket portions of the bars It in engagement with 2 the bolt It. The sickle II is provided with knives it 'of the conventional construction. Mower guards II, secured to the cutter bar l2, cooperate with the knives it, as in the eonventionalmower.

The lower bar it is provided with ears II hav 0 alined openings for the-insertion of a pivot 'pin 1!. Said pin also extends thro ah openings formed in upwardlyextending links 13. Said links are pivotally connected by a pin ll to a downwardly extending head'formed onthe pivot pin IS.

As previously described. the casting it forms a bearing for the casing II and theparts rigidly associated therewith. iAs casting II forms the upper half of the bearing for the same parts.

II is secured by bolts II to the casting Ii.

) Said bolts also rigidly secure in position two spaced parallel-longitudinally extending angle bars 11. Said bars provide means for mounting the lifting mechanism. The casing 23, previously referred to is rigidly secured to the forward \ends of the angle bars 11 by means of the bracket portions II. which arerlveted to the bars ll. At

their rearward ends the bars 11 are bent upwardly.asbestshown'inl"lgure8,andbentinwardly,asbestshowninFigure1. Acastingf'll issecuredtotheharsi-lslightlyrearwardlyof the draw-bar, as shown in Figures 1, 5, and 8. Said casting is formed with a longitudinally extending bore It through which a shaft ti rotatably extends. At its other end the shaft ll rotatably extends into the casing 13. Within the casing a a gear 82 is rotatably mounted onthe shaftll. Saidgearisinconstantmeshwitha Ii scribed. Saidgear carries integral therewith. a rearwm'dly extending aimular'fiange ll, formed internally with a conical clutch face. A conical clutch member II is rigidly mounted on the shaft II in a positionto be 811888 with the clutch face formed on the flange l4.- At its rel-rend the shaft ll projects beyond the casting ll; A. hand lever pivoted on a transverse axis on a bracket, "secured to the angle bars II, has a bell crank extension ll operable to engage the rear end oftlie shaft ll. The lever." extends to a position where it can beengaged by the tractor operator. The casting I! is formed for-v wardly with an annular flange II, which is formed internally with a conical clutch face. A n

' clutch member 90, rigidly secured to the shaft 8|, is formed with a conical clutch face engageable with the clutch face formed on the'flange 09. Between the clutch members 85 and 90 the shaft II is formed with a worm thread. An internally threaded member BI is mounted on the shaft. Said member has a downward extension 92 which slidably fits between the bars 11. Above the member 9| an upwardly andrearwardly curved member 93 is provided for connection with the rope or cable 55.. A pulley 94 is swiveled in a bracket 96, secured to the upper ends of the bars |'l.' The cable passes over said pulley and downwardly, as previously described. 1

In the operation of the device, as above de-- associated parts at the upper end which carry therewith the casing'il, pivots about a longitudinal axis, thereby allowing the shoe 53 to float up and down along the irregularities of theground. The link 49 holds the outer end of the frame against rearward displacement. However, when the cutter bar encounters an obstruction and exerts a force above the predetermined amount for which the latch means is adjusted, the tension on the link 49 overcomes the action of the spring 41 and pulls the latch member 42 out of engagement with the notch in the extension 48.

It is to be understood that the connectin point of the link 49 on the latch member '42 and the strength of the spring 41 determine the amount of pressure required on the cutter bar to actuate the latch and release the cutter bar support. As soon as the latch is released the cutter bar support 39 pivots around the vertical axis formed by the pin 3L The dotted lines in I Figure 1 show the cutter bars in trailing posi-' tion. Dueto" the particular construction of the linkage by which the pitman is connected to the cutter bar and suspended from the mower frame, it is not necessary in this construction to provide means for disengaging the pitman driv,-'

ing means. When the cutter bar swings around rearwardly, the connecting member ill pivots about the bolt 6|. As the drive member 56 continues to operate, guided by thelinks 13, the end of the member or links 63 connected to the member 40, moves laterally the same distance as in working position. However, as clearly il-- lustrated by the dotted position shown in Figure 1, the sickle bar will move relatively small distances as the forward end of the member 60 moves laterally. There is no strain set up in the linkage during operation of the pitman withthe cutter bar in controlling position.

The operation of the lifting means will be clear by inspecting the enlarged showing of Figure 8. When the clutch face of the member is in engagement with the clutch face of the flange II, the member DI, and therefore the cable connectedthereto, is held in position. To exert a pull on said cable the lever 96 is depressed, thereby moving the shaft ll rearwardly, disengaging the clutch face at the'rear end and engaging the The mower frame which consists clutchfa e on the member as with the clutch face on he flange 84. As the gear 82 is continuously rotated. the shaft is rotated when the engagement described takes place. The worm on the shaft II is so cut that upon positive driving by the gears 82 and 83 the member ll is moved forwardly, thereby exerting a pull on the cable 55. When tension is first applied to the cable the cutter bar is raised to a tilted position.

Upon further movement the entire mower frame is lifted, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. Inspection of the linkage which connects the pitman with the sickle bar, as shown in the dotted position in Figure 2, will make clear that the continued operation of the pitman when the cutter bar is lifted, does not set up any undue strains The" drive member 56, guided at its lower end by the links 13, continues to move'the lower end of thesickle driving member or pitman 63, which, in the lifted position, has pivoted about the bolt 84. The sickle continues to be reciprocated through, however, a much shorter path.

When the cutter bar and the mower frame have been lifted to the desired extent, the operator merely removes pressure from the lever 86. The shaft 8| immediately slides rearwardly and engages the clutch-faces on the clutch member 90 and the annular flange 89. As said flange is stationary, its engagement is in effect a brake. When the mower frame and cutter bar are in lifted position and the operator desires to lower them in operative position, he merely exerts sufficient pressure on thelever 86 to disengage the clutch faces at the rear of the shaft 8| without engaging the clutch faces at the forward end of said shaft. The worm 8| is cut with suflicient pitch sothat it is reversible to the extent that the weight of the mower frame and ,the cutter bar acting on the cable 55, is suflicient to rotate the shaft 8| in a reverse direction to that previously described, whereby the member 9| moves rearwardly. As soon as the mower frame has been lowered to the desired extent, the removes pressure from the lever 86.

It is to be understood that applicant has shown J and described onlycertain preferred embodioperator merits of his improved cutter bar release and lifting means and that he claims as his invention all'modiilcations falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A tractor mounted and operated mower comprising, in combination with a tractor having a power take-off connection, a supporting structure attached thereto, a supporting member pivoted to said structure on a substantially vertical axis, a pressure. releasable latch for cutter bar, and drive connections between said,

sickle and the power take-oil connection, said connections being flexible and including means operable to transmit power to the sickle in various angular positions whereby the operation of the sickle bar may continue with the cutter bar in rearwardly extending position when the latch means is released.

2. A- tractormounted and operated mower comprising, in combination with a tractor having a power take-off connection, a supporting structure attached thereto, said structure including a supporting member for a cutter bar, a cutter bar pivotallybonnected to said member on a longitudinal axis, means for lifting said bar 4 r upwardly about itsattaching an. a sickle car- ,riedbythecutterbarganddriveconnectionsbetween said sickle and the powertake-oii' mnnection, said connections being flexible and m- V 5 eluding means operable to transmit power to the sickle in various angular "positions whereby the operation of the sickle may continue with the cutterbarinliftedpositi r 3. a tractor mounted and operated mower 0 comprising, in combination with a tractor having a power take-off connection, a supporting structure attached thereto, a supporting member pivoted to said structure on a substantially vertical axis, a pressure releasable latch for holding said 15 ihernber against angular movement with respect comprising, in combination with a tractor hava 1118 a power take-off connection, a, supporting structure pivotally attachedto thetractor on a ,longitudinalaxiasaidstructureincluding'asup- ,porting member for a cutter bar. a cutter bar pivotally connected to said member on a longitudinal axis, means for-lifting said bar upwardly about its attaching axis, said meansacting also to lift the supporting structure vertically about its axis, a sickle carried by the cutter bar, and drive connections between said sickle and the All power take-oil ection, said connections beingfiexible and'including means operable to transrnit'power to the sickle in various angular positions whereby the operation of the sickle maycontinue withthe mrtterbar inliftedposi- 5. A tractor mounted and operated mower comprising, in combination with a tractor having a power take-oifconncction, a supporting structure pivotally attached thereto on a longitudinal "axis, a drive shaft'extending from the tractor ,asupportingmemberpivotedtothe structure on a'substantially vertical connectedtosaiddrivingshaft atone end and fibatingly supported at its other end by a linkage connected to the supporting structure.acutterbarconnectedtothesupportmgmembenasicklecarriedbysaidcutterbar, a connectinglink connected by imiversal joints iothesickleandtotheiloaflngendofthepite Omamandapressm'ereleasablelatchmeansfor boldingthesupporting memberagainstangular movement with respecttothesupporting structure,pressureon'thecutterbarbeingoperative ltoreleaaesaidlatchandpermitthecutterbar 'toswingrearwardly,theflexible,connectionsbetween'the pitman and the cutter bar-permitting continued operation .of the pitman with the cut- 6. A tractor mounted and operated mower 10 comprising, in combination with'atractor having a power take-oi! connectlon,a supporting strue-.

rm nivotniyattecnedtn ietocneloneitmiml -axla,adriveshaftextendingfromthetractoron saidasia, asupporting member pivotedtothe arose d a pitman connected to'said driving'shaft a oneendandfloatinglympportedatits otherend" by alinkage connectedto the supporting ture, a cutter-bar pivoted to said member cna longitudinal axis, means for lifting said bar upis wardlyabout its attaching axis,a sickle carried by said cutter bar, a connecting link connected by universal Joints to the sickle and to the floating end of the pitman, and-a pressurereleasable latch means for holding the supporting member 10 against ,anguiar movement with respect to the supporting structure, pressure on the cutter bar beingoperative to release said latch and permit the cutter bar to swing rearwardly, the flexible connections between the pitmam'and the cutter bar permitting continued operation of the pitmanwiththecutterbarinrearwardlyextending positions and with thecutter in lifted posi- 7. tractor mounted and operated mower 80 comprising, in combination with a tractor having a power take-off shaft, a supporting structure mounted on the tractor, a drive shaft carried by said structure and operatively connected to the power take-o! shaft, a crank on said shaft, a 25 frame connected to the supporting structure and extending laterally therefrom, a mower bar support pivoted to said frame on a substantially vertical axis. a latch means lochng the bar supporttotheframemeansconnectingsaidlatch to the supporting structure operative to release the baisupport'when a predetermined torque. has been applied to the bar support. a mower bar pivoted to the support on a longitudinal axis, a sickle carriedbysaidbanapitmanaecuredto" the crank onthe drive shaft, a link pivotally connected to the lower end ofthe pitman and to the frame on longitudinal axes, and a-linkconnected by universal Joints to the end of the pitmanandtothesickle, m

8. A tractor mounted and operated mower comprising, in combination with a tractor havingaiixedrearwardlyextendingdrawbarand a rearward extending power take-of! shaft, a

supportingstructure mounted on'the drawbar,,a

drive shaft carried by said structure positioned in alinement with the power take-off shaft and operatively connected thereto, a crank on the 'rear end of said shaft. a frame pivoted to the supporting structure on a longitudinalaxis and 4; extending laterally therefrom, means connecting said frame to the drawbar to permit swinging of the frame, a mowerbar support pivotedv to saidframe on a substantially vertical axis,-a

latch means lockirm the bar support to the so frame, means connecting said latch to the can'- necting means operative to release the bar support when a predetermined torque has been applied thereto, a mower bar pivoted to the sup port on a longitudinal axis, a sickle'carrie'd by so saidbanapitmansecuredtothecrankonthe drive shaft, a link pivotally connected to the lower end of the pitman and to the frame longitudinal axes, a link connected by universal joints to the end of the pitman and to the as sickle, and lifting means connected tcthe cutter bar and to the'supporting structure.

9. A'device as set forth in claim.8, in which theliftingmeansconsistsofathrcadcdmember rot atably mounted on the supporting structure, ":0

an internally threaded'member mounted against rotation in whereby rotation there of the internally threaded member longitudinaily,acableconnectcdtosaid'memberand tothecutter bar. a clutch mounted on the threaded member, a second clutch member mounted on the supporting structure, means to engage saidmembers, and means to continually drive the second clutch member from the power take-off shaft.

10. A device as set forth in claim 8, in which the lifting means includes a cable connected to the cutter bar at a point eccentric with respect to its pivot axis on the bar support whereby the cutter bar is first raised to a lifted position by operation of the lifting means.

11. A mower comprising a supporting structure,

driving means mounted on said structure,a supporting member pivoted to said structure on a substantially vertical axis, a pressure releasable latch for holding said member against angular movement with respect to said structure, a cutter bar connected to said member; a sickle carried by the cutter bar, driving means mounted on the supporting structure, and drive connections between said sickle and. the driving means on the tially vertical axis, a pressure releasable latch for holding said member against angular movement with respect to said structure, a cutter bar pivoted to said member ona longitudinal axis, means for lifting said bar upwardly about its attaching axis,

a sickle carried by thefcutter bar, and drive connections between said sickle and the driving means on the supporting structure, said 'connections being flexible and'including means oper o able to transmit power to the sickle in various angular positions whereby operation of the sickle may continue with the cutter bar in lifted position and in rearwardl'y extending position when the latch means is released. I

13-. A mower comprising a wheel supported frame, driving means mounted on said frame, a mower supporting structure pivotally attached to the frame on a longitudinal axis, said structure including a supporting member for a cutter bar, a 50 cutter bar pivotally connected to said member on a longitudinal axis, means for lifting said bar upwardly about its attaching axis, said means acting also to lift the supporting structure vertically about its axis, a sickle carried by the cutter as bar, and drive connections between said sickle and the driving means on the frame, said com nections being flexible and including means operable to transmit power to the sickle in various angular positions whereby the operation of the so sickle may continue with the cutter bar in lifted position.

14. A mower comprising a wheeled supporting frame, a mower supporting structure pivotally attached thereto on a longitudinal axis, a drive 65 shaft extending from the frame on said axis, a supporting member pivoted to the supporting structure one substantially vertical axis, a pitman connected to said driving shaft at one end and floatirmly supported at its other end by a 70 linkage connected to the supporting structure, a cutter bar connected to the supporting member, a sickle carried by said cutter bar, a link connected by universal joints to the sickle and to the floating end of the pitman, and a pressure releasable 75 latch means for holding the supporting member member pivoted to said structure on a substanagainst angular movement with respect to the supporting structure, pressure on the cutter bar being operative to release said latch and permit the cutter bar to swing rearwardly, the flexible connections between the pitman and the cutter bar permitting continued operation of the pit-' man with the cutter bar in rearwardly extending positions.

15. A tractor mounted and operated mower comprising, in combination with a tractor having a rearwardly extending drawbar, a supporting structure pivotally mounted on said drawbar on a longitudinal axis, a cutter bar mounted on said structure on a longitudinal axis, and a. power operated lifting means mounted on the drawbar and actuated by a connection with the tractor drive mechanism, said lifting means being connected tothemower'bar and being operative to lift both the mower bar and the supporting structure vertically away from the ground level.

16. A tractor mounted and operated mower comprising, in combination with a tractor having a poifiar take-off shaft, a supporting structure mounted on the tractorya drive shaft carried by said structure and operatively connected to the powentake-ofi' shaft, a crank on said shaft, a

frame connected to the supporting structure and extending laterally therefrom, a mower bar support mounted on said frame, a mower bar pivoted to the support on a longitudinal axis, a sickle ,carried by said bar, a pitman secured to the crank on the drive shaft, a link pivotally connectedto the lower end of the pitman and to the frame on longitudinal axes whereby that end of the pitman is floatingly mounted, and a link connected by joints having longitudinal pivot axes to the end of the pitman and 'to the sickle.

l'l. A tractor mounted and operatedmower comprising, in combination with a tractor having spaced rear driving wheels, a supporting structure mounted on the tractor and extending rearwardly therefrom and laterally to one side behind one of the driving wheels, a mower bar pivoted on said structure behind and in substantially longitudinal alinement with said wheel on a substantially vertical axis, and a pressure operated latch means operable to hold said bar in laterally extended position and 'to release it upon a predeterminedpressure to swing rearwardly in trailing position behind and in substantially longitudinal alinement with the driving wheel.

18. A tractor mounted and operated mower comprising, in combination with a tractor having spaced rear driving wheels, a supporting structure mounted on the tractor and extending rearwardly therefrom and laterally to one side behind one of the-tractor drive wheels, 9. mower bar pivoted to said structure behind said wheel on a substantially vertical axis, a pressure operated latch -means for holding said mower' bar in laterally extended position and releasing it upon a'predetermined pressure to swing rearwardly in trailing relation behind the driving wheel, a sickle mounted on the mower bar, and flexible driving connection betweensaidsi'ckle and the tractor drive mechanism, said drive connections including means operable to continue the operation of the sickle with the cutter bar in trailing position.

19. A tractor mounted and operated mower comprising, in combination with a tractor having spaced rear driving wheels, a supporting structure mounted on the tractorand extending rearwardly therefrom and laterally to one side hehind one of the tractor drivewheels. a mower Jam-mummy bar-pivoted to said structure behind said wheel onasubstantiallyverticalaxlaapressureoperatedlatchmeansforholdingsaidmowerbsrin laterallyextaidedpositionandreleasingitupon s apredeterminedpressnretoswingrearwardlyin trailingrelatlonb'ehindthedrivingwheeLasickle monntedonthecutterbar,anddrivlngmeansopstable by the tractor driving mechanism, said meansincludingapitman moimtedon theme in structure, thelower end of which is fioatingly .mspendedtherefromformaintainingitina tramverseplaneandalinkconnectediosaidpitthemowerbarmaytakeanyangmarpositionwith ll respect tothesupportingstructure during oper- Jationofthedrivingmeans.

20.A tractor mounted and operated mower comprising,incombinationwithatractorhavlng apowertake-oil'shaftyasupporting 80carriedbythetracior,adrivingmemberrotat-' sblycarriedbysaidstructureandconnectedto the powertake-ofl shait for rotation abouts horisontal axis disposed longitudinally of the tractor,acutterbarcarriedbythesnppmtingdsuctnreona-verticslpivptsxiasaidbarnm-mslly drivlngmemberreleasablelatchnormsllyhoidingthebarinlaterallyextendingpositimaknife carried by thecutter bar for reciprocation, and adrivingoonnectionbetweentheknifeandthe drivingmembensaidconnectionincludingapivot providing'forangularmovementbetweentheconnectionendthedrlvingmanberaboutagenerallyverticslaxisdispoeedinproximityto the aioresaidpivot axis. wherebytheoperationorthe driving member'and connectionmay continue wlththecutterbarswungrearwardly.

i0'21.A tractor moimtedand operated-mower comprisingincombinationwithatractorhav ingapowertake-oflshafhasupportingstructure carried by the'tractor, a horizontal, longitudinaldrlvingshaftjoumaledonseidstructure flandconneaedtothepowertake-oii'shafha cutterbarcarriedbythesupportingstmctureon a-vertical pivotaxisandnormaliyextending latenllyofthetractorandhavingrearwardswinging'movemmt aboutsaidpivotaxiswithrespect VI. to the supporting structure and driving shaft, a

driving means, and connection including a pivot providing for angularmovement between the connectionandthedrivingmeansaboutagenenlly manandtothesicklebyuniversaljointsjwhereby vertical axis disposed in proximity to the aforesaid axis, whereby the operation of.the driving means and connection may continue with the; cutter bar swung r V 28. A tractor mountedand operatedmower 6 comprising, in combination with a tractor having a power take-oil shaft. a frame carried by the tractor, a horizontal, longitudinal shaft lournaled on said frame and connected" to thepower takeoif shaft'for rotation therewith, a shoe carried 10 bytheframeonavertical pivot axis, acutterbar carried by the shoe normally extending laterally of the tractor and having rearward swinging movement with the shoe about said pivot axis with respect to the frame shait, a releasable latch nor- 1 mally holding ,the'bar in laterally extendingposition, a knife carried by the cutter bar for reciprocation, and a pitman connected between the knife and the shaft, the connection between the snare and pitman includinga pivot providing for so angular movement between the pitman and the shaft about a generally vertical axis disposed in proximity to the aforesaid pivot axis, whereby the operation of the shaft and pitman may continue I with the shoe and cutter bar swungrearwardly.

24. A tractor mounted and operated mower comprising, ineombination with a tractor having J'apowertake-"oiishafhsmowerframecarriedby thetractor,adrlvingmeanscarriedbytheframe and driven by the power take-oi! shaft,a cutter 7 bar carried by the frame on a vertical pivot axis; a releasable latch normally holding the bar in laterally extending position, a knife carried by the cutter bar for reciprocation, and a pitman connected pivotally at one end to the knife and connected at its other end to the driving means, the latter connection including pivot means providing for angular movement between the pitmanand the driving means about a generally vertical axis disposed in proximity to the afore- 40 said pivot axis, whereby the operation of the, driving means and pitman may continue with v the cutter bar swung rearwardlye 25. A tractor mounted and operated mower comprlsing in combination with a tractor having a power take-oirshaft, a mower frame carried by thetractorandhavingagrassward portiondisposed toward one side 'of the tractor, a driving meansconnectedtothepowertake-oflshaftaniincluding a force-transmitting portion disposed in the vicinity of the grassward portion of the frame,

a cutter bar carried by the grassward portion of the frame on a vertical pivot axis, said barnor; mally extending laterally grasswardly from the frame and driving means and having rearward movement about said pivot axis with respect to the frame and driving means. a releasable' latch'normally holding the bar in laterallyiextending position, a knife carried by the cutter bar for reciprocationand a pitman con '00 nected pivotally'at one end to the knife and -at its'other end to the force-transmitting portion of thedriving means, the latter connection including a pivot providing for angular movement between the pitman and the driving means .65

abom a generally vertical in proximity to the aforesaid pivot axis, whereby the operation or the driving means and pitman may continue with the cutter bar swung rearwardly.

WJA tractor mounted and operated mower (0 eomprisingpinco tionwithatractorhaving pcwertake- ,asupportcarrledbythe, tractor. a cutterbar carried by the support nore mallyextending laterallyfrom the support and including a connection with the support on .a I"

vertical axisabout which the'cutter bar may have rearward swinging movement with respect to the support, a releasable latch normally holding the cutter in laterally extending position, a kniie carried by the cutter bar, the support, and a pitman connected between the knife and said means and including a connection providing a pivot on a vertical axis, whereby the pitman may swing rearwardly with the cutter bar with respectto the driving means and support.

27. A tractor mounted and operated mower comprising, in combination with a tractor having power take-oil means, supporting structure carried by the tractor, a cutter bar carried by the supporting structure on a vertical pivot axis. a releasable latch normally holding the cutter bar in laterally extending position, a knife carried by the bar ior reciprocation thereon, drive means connected to the power take-oil means and 111-, eluding a force-transmitting element having cyclic motion laterally of, the tractor, and linkage connecting the force-transmitting element and the knife, said linkage including a Joint on a vertical axis generally said axis, whereby, when the cutter bar and knife swing rearwardly with respect to the Supp rting structure and drive means, the drive means con- 30 28. A tractor mounted and operated mower tinues to operate.

driving means carried by- ,ting mechanism including a in the vicinity of the aioretion between said pitman and link.

. cnaams comprising, in combination with. a tractor having power take-oi! means, a supporting structure urried by the tractor and including cutting mechanism extending laterally ot the tractor, said cutting mechanism including a sickle, a drive shaft carried by 'the supporting structure and connected to the power take-oil means, a pitman connected at one end to the drive shalt and having its other'end extending laterally toward the sickle. a link connected atone end to the sickle and at its other end to the other end or thevpitman, and means pivotally connectedto the supporting structure and tothe pitman adjacent the connection between the pitman and the link.

29. A tractor mounted and operated mower comprising. in combination with a tractor havin power take-oi! means. asupporting structure carried bythe tractor and including cutting mechanism extendinglaterally oi the tractor. said outsickle, a drive shaft carried by the supportins structure and connected to the power take-oi! means,

a pitman connected at one end to the drive shaft and extending laterally toward the sickle, a link connected at one end to the sickle and at its other end to the other end of the pitman, and means carried by the supporting structure and supporting the pitman and link adiacent' the connec- PEARSON. 

